Mariners gifted best pitcher in 2025 MLB Draft thanks to rival's massive mistake

NCAA Division I Baseball Championships | Jay Biggerstaff/GettyImagesThe Seattle Mariners have chosen standout LSU left-hander Kade Anderson with the No. 3 pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. It was a truly remarkable moment, not least of which because the Mariners were supposed to have basically zero chance of making it happen.

For this, they owe an American League West rival a "Thank You" card.

Though many last-minute mocks — i.e., MLB Pipeline, Baseball America, and ESPN — had Anderson going to the Washington Nationals at No. 1, they passed on him to take prep shortstop Eli Willits. That left Anderson there for the Los Angeles Angels at No. 2, and them doing exactly that felt like a lay-up.

Instead,…